MSE / NE Joint Major

The interface between materials science and engineering and nuclear engineering is an especially challenging and rewarding one, giving students in this joint major an exciting range of options. With a sound curriculum steeped in the fundamentals, the joint major program prepares students to fully understand the behavior of materials in a reactor environment, including their design and optimization. Students completing this joint major will successfully compete for positions in the energy sector.

Freshman Year

Fall

Spring

Chemistry 1A and 1AL – General Chemistry or Chemistry 4A – General Chemistry and Quantitative Analysis1

4

–

E 7 – Introduction to Computer Programming for Scientists & Engineers

–

4

Mathematics 1A – Calculus

4

–

Mathematics 1B – Calculus

–

4

Physics 7A – Physics for Scientists and Engineers

–

4

Reading and Composition Course from List A2

4

–

Reading and Composition Course from List B2

–

4

NE 24 – Freshman Seminar

1

Humanities/Social Science Course2

3-4

Total

16-17

16

Sophomore Year

MSE 45 – Properties of Materials

3

–

MSE 45L-Properties of Materials Laboratory

1

Mathematics 53 – Multivariable Calculus

4

–

Mathematics 54 – Linear Algebra and Differential Equations

–

4

ME C85 – Introduction to Solid Mechanics

–

3

Physics 7B – Physics for Scientists and Engineers

4

–

Physics 7C – Physics for Scientists and Engineers

–

4

NE 100 – Introduction to Nuclear Engineering

–

3

Humanities/Social Science Courses2

3-4

–

Total

15-16

14

Junior Year

E 40 – Engineering Thermodynamics

4

–

MSE 102 – Bonding Crystallography and Crystal Defects

3

–

MSE 103 – Phase Transformation and Kinetics

–

3

MSE 104 – Characterization of Materials

–

4

NE 101 – Nuclear Reactions and Radiation

4

–

NE 104 – Radiation Detection Lab

–

4

NE 150 – Introduction to Nuclear Reactor Theory

–

4

Technical Electives4

7

–

Humanities/Social Science Course2

–

3-4

Total

18

18-19

Senior Year

MSE 111 – Properties of Electronic Materials

–

4

MSE 112 – Corrosion

–

3

MSE 113 – Mechanical Behavior of Materials

–

3

MSE 130 – Experimental Materials Science

3

–

NE 120 – Nuclear Materials

4

–

NE 170A – Nuclear Engineering Design

–

3

Technical Electives4

9

3

Humanities/Social Science Course from Ethics List2,3

–

3-4

Total

16

16-17

1. Chemistry 4A is intended for students majoring in chemistry or a closely related field.

2. The Humanities/Social Science (H/SS) requirement includes two approved reading and composition courses and four additional approved courses, with which a number of specific conditions must be satisfied. Reading and Composition “A” and “B” must be completed by no later than the end of the sophomore year. The remaining courses may be taken at any time during the program. See engineering.berkeley.edu/hss for complete details and a list of approved courses.